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Astra and OceanWP are the most popular WordPress themes. Both themes have impressive stats, with 5 out of 5 ratings in the official WordPress theme repository. Furthermore, Astra has One Million-plus active installations, whereas OceanWP has crossed 700,000+ active installs.
Besides, you can download the theme and start creating your dream website quickly. There are tons of customization options and third-party plugins compatible with both themes. Also, you can download both for free via the official WordPress themes directory. Additionally, you can purchase the premium versions from official sites for extended features.
Are you confused between Astra and OceanWP WordPress themes? So, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll provide an unbiased Astra vs OceanWP comparison.
So, let’s get started with the overview section without any delay.
A) Astra Overview
Astra theme is the product of Brainstorm Force, founded back in 2009. The company has other popular products like Schema Pro, Ultimate Addons, and more.
Moreover, this is a lightweight and beautiful WordPress theme. It’s best suited for Business websites, eCommerce stores, Blogs, and Personal sites. Astra WordPress theme is popular because of Speed Optimization, Ease of Use, Starter Templates, and other useful features.
Their Starter Templates are compatible with popular page builders like Elementor, Brizy, Beaver Builder, etc. You can easily import these designs with a single click and start creating your website without writing a single line of code.
B) OceanWP Overview
OceanWP theme is the product of OceanWP LLC with a team of international professionals. The theme is created to solve the problems for WordPress beginners and professionals during website development. They are passionate about helping people and continuous improvement.
Furthermore, it’s a multipurpose WordPress theme. Using the OceanWP WordPress theme, you can create beautiful online stores, blog sites, and business websites. In addition, tons of extensions easily integrate with the theme.
OceanWP theme works seamlessly with popular page builders. You can easily customize your website and design layouts without any coding skills. The one-click demo install and drag and drop interface helps you create websites easier and faster.
C) Astra vs OceanWP: Comparison of the Two Best WordPress Themes
By far, most of the features are available in both Astra and OceanWP. We’ll be comparing both themes based on specific parameters that we thought were crucial for any WordPress user. However, we chose six parameters for comparison among several factors.
We’ve compared the themes based on ease of use, customization option, pre-built designs, free version, pricing plans, and support.
Now, without further ado, let’s dive into the comparisons.
1) Astra vs OceanWP: Ease of Use
Everyone who wants to build a website is not IT savvy. A product is good not only due to advanced features but also because of ease of use. Furthermore, a good WordPress theme with easy accessibility can grow the user number significantly.
Now, let’s look into the usability of Astra and OceanWP.
i) Ease of Use Astra
You can directly install the theme from the WordPress dashboard. It’s quite an easy process. Search “Astra” in the theme menu, install it and activate it.
Also, setting up the theme for the first time is relatively easy. First, you’ll get to choose a page builder among default Block Editor, Elementor, and Beaver Builder. The next thing you have to do is select from predefined templates and start editing. Additionally, Astra is optimized for search engines, translation-ready, and integrated with WooCommerce.
ii) Ease of Use OceanWP
Like Astra, you can also install this theme from the WordPress dashboard. You’ll have to search, install and activate the theme. Finally, you’ll be able to start creating the website of your choice. Furthermore, after setting up your OceanWP theme, you can choose any of the pre-made layouts of your choice and start editing.
Bottom Line: It’s a tie between both themes in case of ease of use. Also, both of the themes are very easy to use and get started with. So you’ll not face any difficulties while creating your dream website at any time using these themes.
2) Astra vs OceanWP: Customization Option
Customization options are vital to personalize your website and make it more appealing and presentable. Being able to customize the appearance of your page adds unique taste and personal branding to your content.
However, both Astra and OceanWP provide customization options. Now, let’s check to what extent.
i) Customization Option in Astra
Astra is an easily customizable theme, and you’ll have complete control over almost every part of the theme. Let’s start with the header; with a transparent header option, you’ll be able to create beautiful headers easily. Enabling this option will make your main header background transparent and pull the page content to the top.
Moreover, you can modify colors and fonts that go well with your brand. This theme lets you manage all the colors and typography of the entire website. Astra also enables you to create beautiful templates with your favorite page builder. Or, you can also drop in a shortcode to include a layout within a mega menu on your website.
Similarly, with Astra, you get 3 sidebar options: right sidebar, left sidebar, and option to disable sidebar. Where you can manage sidebars in 2 ways:
- Globally for the site from customizer
- On particular pages and posts
ii) Customization Option in OceanWP
OceanWP also has several customization choices with additional enhanced features. For example, the feature includes a side panel, where you can choose between an off-canvas menu or a sidebar. Also, you’ll have a sticky header, which you can design with animation, logo, and other options.
Besides, you’ll have 7 customizable header styles, including a transparent header. Or create your custom header per head. You can change the header style globally and individual pages or posts. It also allows you to build an online store as it integrates well with WooCommerce. In addition, you can choose between several styling options. Also, enable multi-step or distraction-free checkout.
The best part is all of the customizations are possible without coding skills. So even beginners can customize this theme as per their website’s brand.
Bottom Line: Both of the themes come with unlimited customization options. And many WordPress websites are using these themes. So, it is a draw between them in terms of customization.
3) Astra vs OceanWP: Pre-Built Designs
Everyone is not a web developer, and many people struggle to build a website themselves. Pre-built designs are a fantastic way of helping such users. Also, theme developing companies provide many pre-built websites so you would not have to struggle. In addition, ready-made designs are an easy way of creating your website with just a few clicks.
i) Pre-built Designs in Astra
Astra offers more than 180+ ready to import website demos. You can search for the website type like a store, blogs, academy, and more. Moreover, you can download these starter sites with just a click and start creating.
Also, all Starter Templates are AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages), fast loading, and responsive.
ii) Pre-built Designs in OceanWP
OceanWP also offers a one-click install import of the demo sites. They are demos for blogs, beauty, photography, portfolio, and many more. Also, they’ll provide you with more than numerous ready to import websites. In addition, they’re both premium and free themes.
Bottom Line: There is no winner in this section; we can call it a tie between Astra and OceanWP. Because both of the themes offer you unique demo sites, you can easily download them with a single click and have full customization options. Choose from multiple headers and footers, design your menus and style them, experiment with colors, and more.
4) Astra vs OceanWP: Free Version
Although you can download both themes for free, there is a limitation. You’ll have to purchase the premium versions of the themes to get full access to features. However, there are plenty of nifty features that you can enjoy for free.
i) Free Version of Astra
Astra is a performance-focused, beautifully designed theme, and you’ll be amazed by its speed. The free version of the theme comes with self-hosted Google fonts and no jQuery codes. Instead, they are using Vanilla JavaScript for performance optimization. Also, you can choose from inbuilt headers and footers, layouts, and WooCommerce ready for site design.
Moreover, the theme comes with Schema integration and is SEO friendly for better search engine ranks. In addition, you have plenty of video tutorials to get started at no charge.
ii) Free Version of OceanWP
OceanWP is one of the best choices to create an online shopping site without spending a dime. You’ll get free WooCommerce integration with regular or multi-step checkout options.
Also, you can choose from seven free header styles ranging from transparent header to custom header. In addition, for a unique look, you can choose from global site layouts.
Bottom Line: Astra is the clear winner if you are looking for features that come for free. Though OceanWP has a slight edge in the eCommerce genre, Astra overcomes it. As a result, you’ll not only be able to customize your site but have a lot of functionality for free.
5) Astra vs OceanWP: Pricing Plans
The pricing plan is essential if you’re looking for a good investment in the website. Also, there is a good chance of scoring a discount if you purchase multisite or lifetime bundles. So let’s dive into the pricing plans of these themes.
i) Pricing Plans in Astra
The theme offers two purchase plans Annual and Lifetime. Also, there’re three subcategories of each plan.
The Annual plan has three tiers:
- Astra Pro: For $59, the theme comes with a mega menu, white-label, and more.
- Essential Bundle: For $276, the theme comes with features like unlimited websites and a risk-free guarantee.
- Growth Bundle: For $523, the theme comes with SkillJet Academy Membership, Convert Pro plugin, and many more.
The Lifetime plan also comes in 3 tiers:
- Astra Pro: For $249, the theme comes with a mega menu, white-label, and more for a lifetime.
- Essential Bundle: For $996, the theme comes with features like unlimited websites and a risk-free guarantee for a lifetime.
- Growth Bundle: For $1893, the theme comes with SkillJet Academy Membership, Convert Pro plugin, and many more for a lifetime. In addition, you can split and pay with three monthly installments.
ii) Pricing Plans in OceanWP
OceanWP also offers Annual and Lifetime purchase plans. They’ve three subcategories of each plan.
The Annual plan has three tiers:
- Personal: For $54, you can use the theme for three sites with 12 months of support.
- Business: For $89, you can use the theme for six sites with 12 months of support.
- Agency: For $159, you can use the theme for 50 sites with 12 months of support.
The Lifetime plan also comes in 3 tiers:
- Personal: For $222, you can use the theme for three sites with support for a lifetime.
- Business: For $356, you can use the theme for three sites with support for a lifetime.
- Agency: For $636, you can use the theme for three sites with support for a lifetime.
Bottom Line: Astra is the clear winner in the case of pricing plans. OceanWP plans are limited in the case of multiple sites. At the same time, any premium plan of Astra lets you use the theme on an unlimited number of websites.
6) Astra vs OceanWP: Support
You might run into some issues while using the theme. Having a dedicated support team is very important to resolve any problems. In this section, we’ll be looking at the support and other facilities the themes provide.
i) Support in Astra
The support section of Astra is quite creative. For example, you can type your issues in a text field that suggests related articles on their support page. In addition, you can also submit a ticket based on your problem.
Furthermore, there are also pre-sales queries, technical support, and more. Additionally, there is dedicated premium support for users that have purchased the theme.
ii) Support in OceanWP
OceanWP also has a friendly support page. There’s a list of support articles and prepurchase questions. Also, a list of support documents provides general information about the theme. You can also submit a ticket if you cannot find any solutions in action.
Bottom Line: After browsing the support pages, we found all the help. Documentation and FAQs provide genuine solutions and information. However, the winner is Astra only due to the interactive article suggestion system, and it can save you a lot of time if you have any issues.
D) Astra vs OceanWP: Pros and Cons
Even though both of the themes are top-of-the-line products for WordPress websites, still, there might have some pros and cons. So, let’s find out what they are.
i) Pros and Cons of Astra
Pros
- The pricing plans are affordable.
- LifterLMS and LearnDash integration if you plan to make an educational website.
- The theme offers a masonry layout for your blogs.
- Global design options with color palette, logo positioning, header layouts, and more.
- Any premium plan offers an unlimited number of websites.
Cons
- New users might find it challenging to get used to.
ii) Pros and Cons of OceanWP
Pros
- OceanWP is a fast and lightweight theme.
- It’s very easy to create an eCommerce site using this theme.
- Also, the theme is beginner-friendly.
- OceanWP is RTL and translation-ready for multilingual publishing sites.
- You do not require coding or design skills.
Cons
- Slightly overpriced than the Astra theme.
- Even premium plans only provide a limited number of websites.
E) Conclusion
That’s all for now. We’re to the end of the article.
Also, we hope you have a clear idea about which theme to use for your website.
Feel free to give your valuable feedback if you’ve already used any of the themes. Also, check out our articles on best free magazine WordPress themes and best free WordPress eCommerce themes for online stores.
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